Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A Mini-photoshoot

It was a pretty dreary day here in the Midwest so we decided to keep our moods mellow and do a mini-photo session. Buddy here cooperated and we ended up with some pretty hilarious shots. Take a look!

"Not sure how you want me to pose, Mommy? Should I put my hand behind my head like this?"

"I like this side better."

"Let me show you my Superman move from P90x."

"I also know how to Yoga. Like this right, Mom?"

"Wait... got it! Butt's gotta be higher."

Outfit: BabyGap

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Citrus Lane - October 2013

It's that time of the month again ... Citrus Lane time!!! I get so excited during the middle of the month because that means that my subscription box for Citrus Lane is on its way to my doorsteps. Surprisingly, I received my box this morning and loved this month's theme! In recognition of Breast Cancer month and men's health, Citrus Lane donned their boxes in the color pink and made it interactive too by having cut-out mustaches on the bottom of the box! Pretty cool.

Citrus Lane - October 2013
Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Citrus Lane - October 2013

Citrus Lane - October 2013
Cutout mustaches on the bottom of the box

Citrus Lane - October 2013
A little information about the theme of this month's box

Here's what was inside our box for October (this was curated for a 4 month old).
* Dive Bath Appliques from Boon - value $10.99
* Gripe Water from Mommy's Bliss - value $12.49
* Ez Grip Massaging Teether and Rattle from Innobaby - value $5.99
* Elephant Shaker from Green Tones - value $12.00

Total estimated value of October box = $41.47
I paid $25 dollars for a monthly subscription so yes, this box exceeds the amount I paid for.
Monthly subscriptions can be purchased 4 different ways:
1. Monthly subscriptions = $25/box billed monthly and cancel anytime
2. 3 Month subscription = $25/box paid upfront and renews automatically
3. 6 Month subscription = $21/box paid upfront and renews automatically
4. 1 Year subscription = $21/box 

If you are interested in trying out this service, please use my link here and subscribe. Remember, new members get 50% off with the code "TAKEHALF" (not sure how long this offer will last?). These care packages are personalized to age and stage of your child and it's free shipping!
Citrus Lane - October 2013
Goodies inside

Citrus Lane - October 2013

Citrus Lane - October 2013

Citrus Lane - October 2013

Citrus Lane - October 2013

Citrus Lane - October 2013

This is my 3rd box from Citrus Lane and each box gets better and better. I told myself to have no more subscription services because of disappointment in the past and I said I was going to cancel once I got the first box since it only cost me $12.50 but, the box turned out to be so good that I continued. Now, I don't plan on canceling anytime soon because I've been more than satisfied with everything I've gotten so far.

Ani really enjoys the teether & rattle from Innobaby. Its very lightweight and flexible so he can grasp it easily. We haven't tried the bath appliques yet but Ani loves taking baths so there should be no issues when he gets a little older to start playing with his bath toys. Also, the elephant shaker is a bit too big for his hands to grasp but the rattling from the recyclable pellets inside the elephant catches his attention quick. Once he's older, he will definitely enjoy this toy and I have a piece of mind since I know this is an eco-friendly toy made from smooth, sustainable rubber wood. And last, the gripe water from Mommy's Bliss is what we gave Ani when he was just a few weeks old because he had pretty bad gas pains. The gripe water helped relieve him of his gas and gave mommy and daddy some much needed r&r too. 

Again, if you are interested in trying out this service, please use my link here and subscribe. Remember, new members get 50% off with the code "TAKEHALF" (not sure how long this offer will last?). These care packages are personalized to age and stage of your child and it's free shipping!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Babywearing Event

Babywearing International of NorthEastern Wisconsin


I attended the Babywearing International of NorthEastern Wisconsin's event on Saturday with some friends of mine to learn more about the types of baby carriers were out there and to test and see which one was best for me and my needs. It was a fun and educational event at the Green BayBeez learning center (connected to their store). I was especially interested in the wraps like the Wrapsody Hybrid stretch. It looks like a long piece of fabric but boy can it be turned into an amazing baby carrier! It looks so easy too! I will have to look more into these wraps and hopefully buy one before Ani gets to be too big for one. Thanks again BWI-NEW for hosting these events!

Babywearing International of NorthEastern Wisconsin
Here's my friend Mai and her baby boy in a ringsling carrier. 

And here is the Hmong baby carriers. These carriers are like the Korean Podaegi baby carriers and most of these carriers are passed down from generation to generation and handsewn/stitched with symbols that represent their family ties/clans. If you're lucky to be gifted with one, then treasure it for all time. I was lucky enough to receive this one from my Mother in-law, and another one from my Mother for my baby shower. My Mother's is a little bit bigger so I'm planning on using that one for Ani when he's bigger. What's a baby carrier that you love?

Hmong Baby Carrier
On left: my sister with the baby carrier that our Mother gifted her for her first born and on the right, me with the carrier that my Mother in-law gifted me.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Wednesday - HWAT & OOTD

Top - Gap // Bottoms - Asos Petite // Boots - Payless

Out of boredom, I recently joined the HWAT (Hmong Women Achieving Together) group at the Hmong Center of Green Bay and found it to be a lot more than I expected. The first meeting I attended, we had a local cosmetologist, Blaire, to do demonstrations for us. Last week, we had a cooking class where we made Kho Piak (our version of chicken noodle soup). This was total Hmong comfort food (although originally it is a Laotian dish). We usually make these at big family events like a Hu Plig (soul calling) party and I usually just take part in just a portion of the process, never overseeing the entire process myself - I don't know how to really make this dish. So, I was eager to learn. But yet again, I only was a part of the process and didn't see how they mixed the flour so good thing someone was recording it! I will have to make it one of these chilly Autumn days...

Monday, October 7, 2013

4 Months


Anakin turned 4 months today. I can hardly believe that in just 4 months, this little guy is not so little anymore. He is growing every single day and learning more and more every day. He's changing so much that it's hard to keep up with him. I'm happy yet sad at the same time... its very bittersweet. He can roll over from his back to his tummy now (not the other way around yet), and he can reach for things such as his mobile toys on his play gym. He can also hold onto his toys such as his wooden fish, Toby and his wooden red car.

He loves me so much because he loves smelling me every time I hold him. There is such comfort knowing that he thinks I'm the greatest person in the whole entire world! It's such a reward! He loves watching TV already, especially football. Some days/nights, I just swaddle him up real tight, lie him down at the foot of our bed, and turn on the tv for him and he just happily lays there quietly and watches. Overall, he is a very good baby. He sleeps throughout the night only waking up to nurse 2-3 times. In the mornings, I wake him up to change his diaper and he falls back to sleep right away without any difficulty. He's a very lazy baby but boy is he hyper when he's awake. He doesn't ever stop kicking and vocalizing his mind! This baby is very loud. LOL!

At his 4 month checkup, he yelled at the Doctor and nurse for turning him from side to side-checking his ears and eyes. It was very amusing to watch! haha. I just love his personality already. He smiles easily at anyone, talks to anyone, and laughs at the silliest attempts to make him laugh. He still doesn't like taking pictures. And he certainly doesn't like people in his face. If you're in his face, he will yell at you! He has already outgrown his 3-6 month clothes and is now in his 6-9 month clothes. He's a big boy documenting in the 50-60% of his age in all categories!

I am looking forward to his first solid food tasting, his first time sitting up by himself, the first time he rolls over both ways, and many many more firsts!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

International Babywearing Week

Get carried away! International Babywearing Week starts tomorrow and ends on the 13th. I will be using my Hmong baby carrier that my Mother in-law gifted us with at the baby shower. It's versatile because it can carry baby in front when he/she is an infant and when baby gets older you can carry him/her on your back. You can also keep the infants legs together instead of splitting them apart like in the Bijorn and other carriers like it. The Hmong people believe that an infant is not strong enough to spread their legs yet until they're about 5-6 months of age. So I will still be using this one for another month or until I feel like Anakin is stronger. With the Hmong baby carriers though, it takes a little skill to put baby in and tie it on, but once you learn how to, it is so easy.

I'll be needing a regular baby carrier soon since baby is getting bigger and will be hiking with us when he turns one next Summer. That task is as daunting as buying any other baby gear - there's just way too many selections/styles available. Any suggestions?

Hmong Baby Carrier

If you are around this area, the Babywearing International of NorthEastern Wisconsin  is hosting an event at the Green Baybeez family learning center. Here are the event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/215987035224655/

Friday, October 4, 2013

giggleBABY for JCP

JCP just recently launched their partnership with giggleBABY. JCPenney has giggleBABY stores inside more than 500 JCP's across the country. The giggleBABY shops offer the best of nursery, gear, layette, bedding, toys, and gifts designed and curated by giggle. I'm glad these products are affordable yet adorable and totally giggle-style! I just had to get Ani this red, wooden car toy because his Daddy just bought a red car too. If you're interested in checking out what this giggleBABY has to offer at JCP, you can see it here: www.jcpenney.com 

giggleBABY for JCP
Wooden toy with water base paint

giggleBABY for JCP
I love that there are no plastic wires to cut through... just yarn that is tied.

giggleBABY for JCP

giggleBABY for JCP

OOTD
Top & flats - Gap// Bottoms - Old Navy // Necklace - Jewelmint


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Jewels for Dinner?

Jewelmint
Jewelmint Flabella Earrings

Jewelmint
Jewelmint Setting Sun Necklace and Sabertooth Ring

Jade bracelet - gift from my Mom